Still trying to figure out this DS life.

[louteg]

I haven’t posted in a while, I was sick for bit got better went on vacation came back and I am sick again. I am 13 months post-op now, I didn’t’ acknowledged my 1 year surgevasary because I felt like a failure. The reason is not because of how I look, I look better now than I did at 20; it’s because of the scale and my expectations. I still need to lose 30 to 40 lbs but instead I keep losing and gaining the same 4lbs. I shouldn’t complain I went from a size 26/28 to 12/14 the best part my booty no longer has its own zip code. Yet I am so dissatisfy. At 10 months post-opt my iron tanked at 12 months post-opt I became Hypoglycemic and did I mentioned at 9 months post-opt my carb addiction geared its ugly head again. I try to take each day as it comes, but I am imperfect. There is so much I have yet figure out when it come my DS.
1: happy Carb balance
I am Caribbean we eat lots of carbs no meal is truly complete unless you have two carbs on your plate. It’s hard explaining to my family why I am eating a plate of just meat; frankly I am tired of explaining this to them. I need to learn to make my favorite meals low carb. When I go bellow 50g of carb I wake up in the middle of the night with chest pain, sweating, sometimes nauseas and dizziness. It’s hard staying bellow 100g once I go above 50g.
2: happy fat balance
As a former heart patient I still have the old rules about low fat in my head. I average about 80 to 100g of fat on a good day. I love bacon but more than 4 slices make me nauseas, and I hate mayo or cream sauces. I need to find fat that I like.
3: still struggle with eating enough protein
I average about 100 to 150g a day; I get more on big tummy days. They are few protein powders that I like so my choices are limited.
4: taking my vites every day
I never forget but I am always playing catch up. I need lots of A, D and calcium so I take 5 batches a day.
5: Drinking water
I never like drinking water, after my Ds I got worst. I don’t drink soda or milk because the gas makes everyone wants to kill me, I don’t drink fruit juice because it makes me feel like I am dying. I hate the taste of crystal light, and I am afraid to drink anything with real sugar in it.
You might ask what the point of this post, simple I am looking for advices, ideas suggestions anything. I want to work my tool the best way I can, I want to reduce some of the frustration I feel.
Thanks all

[west4thavenue]

Hi, Louteg!  First, I want to tell you that you look great.  Love the red dress.  Congratulations on the first year -- whether you chose to celebrate or not.

Second, you have a terrific sense of humor. 

Carb addiction is tough to break. We love our comfort food, don't we?  As far as explaining what's on your plate to your family: When we were kids someone was always asking "Why did you do that?", and we had to come up with an answer.  Really pretty silly when you think of it, because we usually could only say, "Uhh...I don't know."  But good news.  You are an adult now. You do not have to explain anything to anyone.   

Except for the carb intake, it doesn't sound like you are doing anything really wrong.  Remember you are only going to absorb a small percentage of your fat intake.  If you are eating a lot of native Caribbean food, what about avocado?  Coconut milk?  These are good sources of fat for you.

Stay tuned in.  I'm only four months out.  The vets can tell you more than me.

[dawn4511]

Congrats on your one year and you might not have hit your goal yet but sounds like your still on your way.

I do have a question thou, I thought Hypoglycemic was a RNY issue and DS didn't get it?

[Misty]

I'm too much of a newbie to give advice but I had to tell you that you look beautiful!

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Ditto Misty! I'm too new to give advice but you look fantastic!

[louteg]

Jul 28, 2014 19:31:44 GMT -5 dawn4511 said:

Congrats on your one year and you might not have hit your goal yet but sounds like your still on your way.

I do have a question thou, I thought Hypoglycemic was a RNY issue and DS didn't get it?

I thought so as well, but I am learning that it does occur.I read this article recently about it.

SAN FRANCISCO – Hypoglycemic episodes were common and largely unnoticed after bariatric surgery, a controlled study of 45 patients found.

During a 3-day period of "normal living," symptomatic hypoglycemias occurred in 22% of 15 patients after gastric bypass surgery, 20% of 15 patients after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, and in none of 15 obese, nondiabetic control patients matched to the surgical patients by body mass index.



Continuous glucose monitoring showed that patients in both postsurgery groups spent significant amounts of time in hypoglycemia, Dr. Niclas Abrahamsson and his associates reported at the annual scientific session of the American Diabetes Association.

After gastric bypass, patients averaged 42 minutes per day with glucose levels lower than 3.3 mmol/L and 21 minutes per day with levels lower than 2.8 mmol/L. After duodenal switch surgery, patients averaged 85 minutes per day with glucose levels lower than 3.3 mmol/L and 39 minutes per day with levels lower than 2.8 mmol/L. No patients in the control group had glucose levels that low, reported Dr. Abrahamsson of the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

"We were very surprised that they had so many hypoglycemic episodes, especially since the controls had none," he said. Patients were unaware of approximately 80% of the hypoglycemic episodes, he added.

"The clinical significance should be that one should be alert to any hypoglycemia symptoms," Dr. Abrahamsson said.

Patients in the post–duodenal switch group had the lowest mean glucose level (4.6 mmol/L) and mean hemoglobin A1c level (29 mmol/mol), compared with the post–gastric bypass group (mean glucose 5.3 mmol/L and HbA1c 36 mmol/mol) and the control group (mean glucose 5.9 mmol/L and HbA1c 38 mmol/mol).

Glucose curves on continuous monitoring were more variable in the post–gastric bypass group, compared with controls, and less variable in the post–duodenal switch group, compared with controls. That difference between the two surgical groups probably relates to the different glucose absorption capabilities after surgery, he suggested.

Dr. Abrahamsson has been a speaker for Eli Lilly and Sanofi and has held stock in AstraZeneca.

www.clinicalendocrinologynews.com/home/article/hypoglycemia-common-after-bariatric-surgery/75ec697468d71d4dfe5924b2166b21b1.html

[louteg]

Thanks Misty and OnMyWay2Thin.

[bboop]

Sounds like you are doing ok to me. Can you drink anything with artificial sweetener? There are many drinks out there that have it and I personally drink peach iced tea all day and evening. I love the stuff. Keep looking for a way to get your water (any liquid) in. I know it can be a bitch, but it can be done and it must be done. How about iced tea? There are tons of flavors out there which you can add to change the taste.

I have colitis so I eat a potato or half of one almost everyday. Now I don't recommend this to anyone, but you can increase your carb count and still lose...go to 75 or 100 if you have to..but make them healthy carbs. Things like broccoli, salads, green beans, you get the idea. How about a cauliflower rice, or cauliflower pasta with cheese? Sounds like you really do know what to eat but have trouble eating what you want and should eat when you are with family. Just put your cute little spike heels down and say, this is what I eat it's what I like and you all eat what you want and I'll eat what I want. End of discussion. You may have to get tough...I have no idea why our families tend to undermine us in our weightloss efforts but they do...we can try to figure out why until the end of time. If it's really bothering you go to a therapist.

You mentioned you are concerned about fat. What were your HDL/LDL levels? I have high triglycerides and for the life of me, I can't get that one down even with medication...they think it is genetic. If your cholesterol levels are good, why are you worrying about your fat levels? I eat a lot of butter...on my toast, in my cooking and just about everywhere I can to tell the truth. So far I have cholesterol numbers in the low to mid 40's.
Again, if you are worried, eat avocados and other healthy fats...but it sounds to me as if you are eating the way your should in that area.

How much more protein do you want to eat in a day...100 to 150 sounds good to me. 100 is a little low but with all the meat and fish we eat plus protein drinks, you should be well into the 150s. Just double check what you are consuming and see...I bet you are doing better than you think.

About the night sweats. Try a snack before bed...make it low carb...maybe some cheese or whatever...that way you won't wake up sweating and dizzy. I hate to ask but you don't look like you are anywhere near menopause, but could that be it? Just asking...don't kill me. I can't see you face that well in the picture.


You sound like a good DSer to me. Your vitamins sound ok. How are your labs? They are the true indication of our health. If you want more weight loss then cut back on the carbs...you know the drill. We all do. Some days I fall off the wagon and eat carbs but later in the day, I pay for it...my dogs don't seem to mind. Your picture looks great...I say you look good - do you feel good? If you feel good then why worry?

[Joanne]

First of all - you look beautiful! I love the picture, and it looks like your confidence is soaring! Even if you never lose another pound, you are a success. That being said, just to let you know I started around the same as you. At one year out I was in a 12/14. Without changing a thing, within the following 6 months I dropped to a size 10. I had plastics the next year and am a 6. I say that because dont underestimate how much excess skin plays in that weight. But again, I only say this so you know my experience. I think you look beautiful and happy right now.

The carbs are tough. I eat carbs, just not as many. Would it work for you if you still put a smaller portion of those carbs on your plate, but focus on the meat? What works for me is to eat most of the meat, and a few bites of the other things. That doesnt work for everyone.

I'm sorry to hear about your hypoglycemia, I'm running out the door now but want to re-read your post later today and see if I have anything more to add. But I did feel compelled right away to comment at least on your photo.

[newyorkbitch]

louteg honey, here's some tough love.

If you want to lose more weight, you have to reduce your carbs. Sounds to me like your family is sabotaging you and that is not okay. You have to deal with that head on. You have to find strategies that work for you to reduce your carb intake. And your family has to cooperate. You could ask them if they want you to be healthy and feel good or if they'd rather have a sick and sad Mama and keep giving her a hard time about the carbs on everybody's plates.

Second, you have to start drinking more water and eating more frequently. This is the only way to deal with the hypoglycemia, in addition to cutting out simple carbs and sticking to complex carbs.

Third, you have to get your iron situation under control, and from what I understand from your labs (hard to be sure because of the formatting) you need more D and calcium - you have to reduce that PTH.

If you don't deal with these three things, you will not lose more weight and you will not feel better.

Have you had a baseline bone density scan?

[caprice]

First thing I want to hit is the fat: Butter and whipping cream are my two best friends. They make everything better. Butter on steak, and almost any carb is better with butter: veggies, brown rice, wheat toast -- you get the idea. And cream is wonderful in coffee! I just love those little fat puddles floating on top of my java. Mostly, because it annoys almost everyone around me.

Yah, that iron thing really needs to be addressed. If your pcp isn't on board with this, shop for a hemotologist. Some of us will need regular iron infusions for the rest of our lives because we can't supplement enough to absorb enough to stay healthy. PLEASE address that while you still have the energy to do so (that is, not get so anemic that you can't drag your butt in to proper care) Voice of experience here. Mama Caprice (and NYB, who is a genius about this stuff) says take care of this while you still can.

[Girlrocker]

Hi there, first of all, holy WOW, you look amazing, classic NYC career-gal-chic! Like you stepped right out of Sex in the City with the gals

What I can do is concur with what has been said here. I had a mom who was thrilled I was losing weight...and then always trying to get me to eat, the jewish mom way. It wasn't to the degree you are dealing with. But you just have to be firm, do what is right for YOU. Understand that...they might never understand, at least not now and its OKAY. Don't try to explain any more. Whatever creative, loving things you say to them with a smile, eat the way you know is best for you. The results speak for themselves, that you know what you are doing. That's why you also have us! We're here, we do understand, you can vent, ask any and all.

As a fellow recovering carb addict, I can tell you that really never goes away, it's part of our DNA. But, we do learn to manage it better. 50g is a good guideline for the weight loss phase; I lost like a stair stepper, and another 12 pounds came off between 12-18 months. You CAN have them, work them into your day in a very tasty, satisfying way. Can you post what you are eating in a day, or which carbs are your achilles heel, what are your favorite meals you mention? And we can give you some ideas of better ways to eat them. Ultimately you're working toward a moderate carb lifestyle, not no carb/low carb. If you're around 120g protein than you're doing just fine there, don't go lower, and higher is always better. You're doing great with vitamins too, and you are already working with NYB's heme, right? You might always need infusions and might need the more frequently until your levels are back to normal.

I'm with Caprice on the fat - my brown rice, brown rice pasta, sweet potato, quinoa, gluten free toast, oatmeal, all get butter, lots of butter. I cook my eggs in lots of butter. I reheat my cooked turkey/chicken with more butter. I love making low-carb tortilla super cheesy quesedillas fried in corn oil. Cream in my coffee rocks me too, and many make their protein shakes with cream too. Avocado (and yes that means guacamole too) nuts/nut butters,olives, cheese, peanutbutter, delicious flavored oils to cook your proteins in, all good fat. I use whole mayo in my tuna/egg salad and I eat a lot of both. Now I can eat sandwiches, but earlier post op I ate it with all kinds of complex carb type crackers, soy flaxseed chips, Trader Joes has a great variety. You DO have to learn how to make carb consumption (as a general rule) the side car, not the main event. Not to say there aren't plates of pasta or whatever in your future, yummy desserts. They are! Just not every day.

[louteg]

Jul 30, 2014 6:31:33 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

louteg honey, here's some tough love.

If you want to lose more weight, you have to reduce your carbs. Sounds to me like your family is sabotaging you and that is not okay. You have to deal with that head on. You have to find strategies that work for you to reduce your carb intake. And your family has to cooperate. You could ask them if they want you to be healthy and feel good or if they'd rather have a sick and sad Mama and keep giving her a hard time about the carbs on everybody's plates.

Second, you have to start drinking more water and eating more frequently. This is the only way to deal with the hypoglycemia, in addition to cutting out simple carbs and sticking to complex carbs.

Third, you have to get your iron situation under control, and from what I understand from your labs (hard to be sure because of the formatting) you need more D and calcium - you have to reduce that PTH.

If you don't deal with these three things, you will not lose more weight and you will not feel better.

Have you had a baseline bone density scan?

Thank you I needed to hear that about my family, I realized it but was afraid to say it. I going to have put my foot down.
I am going to try adding ice tea to my fluid rotation and drinking smart water. I also realize that I have to set an eating reminder just like I do my vites.
I am not sure how to get the iron under control, I have had 3 Feraheme infusions in 2 months the iron is still Low. I need to have a conversation with both Dr. Klafter and GYN; I need assurance that having a full hysterectomy is going to solve my iron issues.
How do I go by reducing my PTH?
I haven't had a baseline bone density scan done yet.

[newyorkbitch]

How much Vit D and calcium are you taking every day?

[louteg]

Jul 30, 2014 9:36:45 GMT -5 Girlrocker said:

Hi there, first of all, holy WOW, you look amazing, classic NYC career-gal-chic! Like you stepped right out of Sex in the City with the gals

Can you post what you are eating in a day, or which carbs are your achilles heel, what are your favorite meals you mention? And we can give you some ideas of better ways to eat them. Ultimately you're working toward a moderate carb lifestyle, not no carb/low carb. If you're around 120g protein than you're doing just fine there, don't go lower, and higher is always better. You're doing great with vitamins too, and you are already working with NYB's heme, right? You might always need infusions and might need the more frequently until your levels are back to normal.

quote]

Thank you

Average food day I tract using MFP
Breakfast 1 @ 6 am 1/2 cup of Fage Greek Yogurt w/ 1 scoop of Isopure unflavored whey protein and 1/4 cup of blueberries 37 g of protein 10g of carbs
Breakfast 2 @9 am 2 eggs over easy with 3 slice of bacon w/ 1 low-carb tortilla 22g protein 13 g of carb
Lunch @ 1pm 4oz of Asian spicy chicken wings with 1/4 of a sweet potato and 2 slice of tomato 55g of protein 17g of carbs
snack 1 @3 pm 1/4 cup of cashews 5.4g of protein 9.6g of carb
Dinner @ 6 pm 4oz grill garlic butter tilapia with 1/4 cup of French cut beans 1/4 cup of rice 31g of protein 15g of carb
snack 2 @9:pm 4 slice of muenster cheese roll up in 4 slice of ham 31g of protein 2g of carbs
Snack3 @ 1 am ( If I wake up hungry) 1 slice of toast with peanut butter and a glass of coconut milk 7g of protein 17g of carb
Or if I wake up I am having Low blood sugar strawberry Damon Greek yogurt light and fit and 4oz of orange juice 12g of protein 22g of carbs

[louteg]

Jul 30, 2014 21:05:33 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

How much Vit D and calcium are you taking every day?

I take 3 Biotech D3 50,000 IU for a total of 150,000 iu a day
I take 4 batches of critical calcium citrate with D3 for a total of 2,520 mg of calcium and another 2,000iu of D3
Plus I get calcium and D3 from my multi

[louteg]

Jul 28, 2014 22:24:38 GMT -5 bboop said:

Sounds like you are doing ok to me. Can you drink anything with artificial sweetener? There are many drinks out there that have it and I personally drink peach iced tea all day and evening. I love the stuff. Keep looking for a way to get your water (any liquid) in. I know it can be a bitch, but it can be done and it must be done. How about iced tea? There are tons of flavors out there which you can add to change the taste.

I have colitis so I eat a potato or half of one almost everyday. Now I don't recommend this to anyone, but you can increase your carb count and still lose...go to 75 or 100 if you have to..but make them healthy carbs. Things like broccoli, salads, green beans, you get the idea. How about a cauliflower rice, or cauliflower pasta with cheese? Sounds like you really do know what to eat but have trouble eating what you want and should eat when you are with family. Just put your cute little spike heels down and say, this is what I eat it's what I like and you all eat what you want and I'll eat what I want. End of discussion. You may have to get tough...I have no idea why our families tend to undermine us in our weightloss efforts but they do...we can try to figure out why until the end of time. If it's really bothering you go to a therapist.

You mentioned you are concerned about fat. What were your HDL/LDL levels? I have high triglycerides and for the life of me, I can't get that one down even with medication...they think it is genetic. If your cholesterol levels are good, why are you worrying about your fat levels? I eat a lot of butter...on my toast, in my cooking and just about everywhere I can to tell the truth. So far I have cholesterol numbers in the low to mid 40's.
Again, if you are worried, eat avocados and other healthy fats...but it sounds to me as if you are eating the way your should in that area.

How much more protein do you want to eat in a day...100 to 150 sounds good to me. 100 is a little low but with all the meat and fish we eat plus protein drinks, you should be well into the 150s. Just double check what you are consuming and see...I bet you are doing better than you think.

About the night sweats. Try a snack before bed...make it low carb...maybe some cheese or whatever...that way you won't wake up sweating and dizzy. I hate to ask but you don't look like you are anywhere near menopause, but could that be it? Just asking...don't kill me. I can't see you face that well in the picture.


You sound like a good DSer to me. Your vitamins sound ok. How are your labs? They are the true indication of our health. If you want more weight loss then cut back on the carbs...you know the drill. We all do. Some days I fall off the wagon and eat carbs but later in the day, I pay for it...my dogs don't seem to mind. Your picture looks great...I say you look good - do you feel good? If you feel good then why worry?

1. Artificial sweeteners taste so bad to me. I have not try ice tea in a long time I am going to try a lightly sweetened tea or unsweetened and see how it goes.
2. HDL is 34 LDL is 41. I had a heart arrhythmia accompany by tachycardia (racing heart beat) before my DS also heart disease runs in my family so I spend years eating low fat and staying away from fat. I would hate to have it come back that was such a nightmare
3. I am 42 today I wish it was menopause; I suffer from endless fibroids and endometriosis
4. I am worry because I have not been feeling very well of late. I am exhausted all the time and I wake up almost every night with the night sweat and the nausea and shaking.

[louteg]

Jul 30, 2014 7:25:20 GMT -5 caprice said:

Yah, that iron thing really needs to be addressed. If your pcp isn't on board with this, shop for a hemotologist. Some of us will need regular iron infusions for the rest of our lives because we can't supplement enough to absorb enough to stay healthy. PLEASE address that while you still have the energy to do so (that is, not get so anemic that you can't drag your butt in to proper care) Voice of experience here. Mama Caprice (and NYB, who is a genius about this stuff) says take care of this while you still can.

I have a great hematologist thanks to NYB however, after 3 infusion of Feraheme it seem as if my iron have not move up much at all.

[goodkel]

You've received some great advice here.

I want to point out that you are only one year out. You still have time, although you already look marvelous. How tall are you? With a 28.3 BMI you are right on the brink of a normal weight.

It is not uncommon for long stalls and slow loss in the final year. At one year, I was wearing a 12, a year later and now I'm wearing a 6. Slow and steady wins the race. But, that hinges on staying true to the DS rules about liquids, protein, low carbs, and vitamins.

When you are deficient in anything, your body is stressed. When your body is stressed it tends to hold on to weight.

Some people do fine on 100 carbs a day. Why don't you try that for awhile? Or even 75 grams.

If the type of iron you are getting by infusion isn't working, perhaps it is time to try a different kind. This happens to many people. One type doesn't work, but a different one does. Have you told your hematologist about how you are feeling?

Have you been to a gynecologist about your fibroids and endometriosis? That could be causing your iron problems. Maybe it is time to do something about them.

Eat something right before bed. A few spoofuls of peanut butter will do. Keep the jar next to your bed and have a few more if you wake up in the middle of the night.

You are not a failure.

[louteg]

Jul 30, 2014 23:14:29 GMT -5 goodkel said:

You've received some great advice here.

I want to point out that you are only one year out. You still have time, although you already look marvelous. How tall are you? With a 28.3 BMI you are right on the brink of a normal weight.

It is not uncommon for long stalls and slow loss in the final year. At one year, I was wearing a 12, a year later and now I'm wearing a 6. Slow and steady wins the race. But, that hinges on staying true to the DS rules about liquids, protein, low carbs, and vitamins.

When you are deficient in anything, your body is stressed. When your body is stressed it tends to hold on to weight.

Some people do fine on 100 carbs a day. Why don't you try that for awhile? Or even 75 grams.

If the type of iron you are getting by infusion isn't working, perhaps it is time to try a different kind. This happens to many people. One type doesn't work, but a different one does. Have you told your hematologist about how you are feeling?

Have you been to a gynecologist about your fibroids and endometriosis? That could be causing your iron problems. Maybe it is time to do something about them.

Eat something right before bed. A few spoofuls of peanut butter will do. Keep the jar next to your bed and have a few more if you wake up in the middle of the night.

You are not a failure.

I love the folks here they give great advises, I plan to put it to practice right away.
I am 5'5.
I am going to try 60 to 100g of carb for few days and see how that work for. I love peanut butter I will be keeping a jar next to me from now on at night
I have an appointment with my Hematologist on Monday I will talk to him about trying a different iron.
I realizes I can't put off having a hysterectomy anymore, I am gong to make an appointment to see my GYN about it ASAP

You all are the best thank you for the great support!

[Leonie]

You look absolutely gorgeous!

I am also beginning to deal with hypoglycemia. I do not yet have a kit to test regularly, but the test that shows the trend says I am low. I also wake up with the hot sweats, and have bouts of fatigue. Same problems with iron, infusions just just keep me out of trouble. Next week we are trying a different type.

What I'm trying to say, is that you are not alone. We are on this journey together.

Oh, and I must add, coffee is my fluid lifesaver. Even though I drink 60-100 oz water a day, I also have four to five large mugs of good coffee.

[newyorkbitch]

The caffeine is likely making the hypoglycemia worse. Reduce your coffee consumption.

[jpcello]

There are alternatives to a full hysterectomy. Talk to your GYN. You mentioned you have issues with fibroids, which causes heavy bleeding. I was in a similar situation and was going to have a uterine ablation but needed to eliminate the fibroids. I had a procedure called a fibroid embolization. One of the potential side effects of the embolization was early menopause (I was 48 at the time). It worked for me - got rid of the fibroids and my periods stopped about 2 months after the procedure. Never had to have the uterine ablation.

I had one series of infusions about 6 months after the procedure and my iron has been in the normal range ever since simply taking one oral iron with Vit C daily.

[Girlrocker]

Ok, can I tell you something? You're figuring out the DS life very well, plus, juggling iron/hypoglycemia. So be PROUD of what you have accomplished on all fronts - not just a number on the scale, but how you look, how you feel, and, look at this, how WELL you grasp approaching eating! The more frequent meals, food tracking, knowing your protein/carb grams (not calories). Good work.

You are eating very well, making good food choices. I eat 100g carbs a day - and believe me in every day people' world this is SO low! I also exercise regularly, walk a lot. How I approach my days is knowing what I really want/need, and what I can live with a little less. I will eat omlettes with just bacon or sausage as a 'vehicle' but I really like a slice of toast with my eggs, however they are prepared. I can eat my stir frys easily without rice, same with mexican food. So I think you don't need to scale down hugely so much as some fine-tuning 'tweakig' to drop your carb count a little, bump up your protein in it's place. I noticed your mini meals you this, mostly protein.

So some suggestions, and then design it for what you really need, when you can skip or use a smaller portion or alternative. I think one of the biggest challenges is learning to enjoy some foods without carb 'vehicles'. No matter where we come from, just a way of life! bread, potatoes, rice with everything, in all cultures.


Average food day I tract using MFP

Breakfast 1 @ 6 am 1/2 cup of Fage Greek Yogurt w/ 1 scoop of Isopure unflavored whey protein and 1/4 cup of blueberries 37 g of protein 10g of carbs
You can increase the yogurt to a full cup, 1/2 scoop of the whey protein, and instead of blueberries use a non-dairy flavored creamer to yummy up the taste or add some sugar free jello mix/sugar free pudding mix, eliminate the blueberries.

Breakfast 2 @9 am 2 eggs over easy with 3 slice of bacon w/ 1 low-carb tortilla 22g protein 13 g of carb
Use half the tortilla instead; if you want the whole tortilla, definitely skip the blueberries, the idea is to work in all the things you enjoy, but not necessarily in the same day


Lunch @ 1pm 4oz of Asian spicy chicken wings with 1/4 of a sweet potato and 2 slice of tomato 55g of protein 17g of carbs
If you have blueberries and tortilla in the morning, skip the sweet potato and instead just have the tomato and other vegetables. Or have a small side of greens, put a couple of mandarin oranges in it, some nuts, cheese, add salad dressing of your choice

Snack 1 @3 pm 1/4 cup of cashews 5.4g of protein 9.6g of carb
Trade off your cashews with almonds sometimes, they're lower in carb and really good for you, an antioxidant. You can also easily make your own sweet almond snack by melting butter and sweetener of your choice, pouring over the almonds, bake. Yum.

Dinner @ 6 pm 4oz grill garlic butter tilapia with 1/4 cup of French cut beans 1/4 cup of rice 31g of protein 15g of carb
Think about what you ate already today - will you enjoy the fish and green beans without the rice?
Or how about adding a few black beans to your greenbeans to change it up and have a smaller portion of a complex carb
Snack 2 @9:pm 4 slice of muenster cheese roll up in 4 slice of ham 31g of protein 2g of carbs

Snack3 @ 1 am ( If I wake up hungry) 1 slice of toast with peanut butter and a glass of coconut milk 7g of protein 17g of carb
Or if I wake up I am having Low blood sugar strawberry Damon Greek yogurt light and fit and 4oz of orange juice 12g of protein 22g of carbs
How about just the peanutbutter by the spoon? I also dip my peanutbutter spoons in sugar free preserves or real fruit preserves; or get a bag of mini grain crackers, edamame crackers and have a 6-12 of those with peanubutter, get them at Trader Joes, so yummy and you can eat several, feel like you're happy snacking; will 2oz of oj do the trick instead of 4oz? Or would apple juice work instead?

[Leonie]

Jul 31, 2014 5:12:26 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

The caffeine is likely making the hypoglycemia worse. Reduce your coffee consumption.

I can do that! But it sure is a blow. I have been using caffeine as a crutch.
I am still learning about this, and it seems there is definitely a correlation.

"Hypoglycemia is a common side effect of caffeine, according to Drugs.com. However, the mechanism responsible is poorly understood. Researchers found that caffeine impairs glucose sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner, starting at a very low dose, according to a study found in the February 2013 issue of "Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism." In the study, caffeine caused impaired glucose metabolism in healthy men and women. This data suggests that those with diabetes are not the only ones at risk for this side effect."
www.livestrong.com/article/402727-hypoglycemia-caffeine/

Yes, figuring out this DS life is a continual challenge.

[PeteA]

I haven't tried this yet but you might look around the web for "infused water" a fancy name for fruit flavored water you make yourself. The recipe I saw was a cut up apple and a couple cinnamon sticks soaking in water to give it a different taste. I have a hard time with plain water although I'm always trying to get in more plain water. Luckily for me my stomach tolerates crystal light just fine.

I do think you are doing great and asking all the right questions for continued success.

Pete